Life

Racing Hard for Better Cancer Care

Jonathan Feddock combined his passion for IRONMAN and cancer care to raise over $50,000 last month at IRONMAN Louisville.

by Kara Deschenes

When 33 year-old Jonathan Feddock received word from the hospital where he works that funding for an enhanced brachytherapy program was denied, he decided to take matters into his own hands. After all, the radiation oncologist is a six-time IRONMAN finisher and, by definition, IRONMAN athletes are simply unstoppable.

The Lexington, Kentucky native grew up watching triathlon greats Mark Allen and Dave Scott go head-to-head on TV, but he didn’t pick up the sport himself until after college. As a collegiate runner at University of Kentucky, Feddock was no stranger to tough training, but hadn’t entertained the idea of competing in a triathlon until he met his wife. In fact, the couple's first date took place on a training ride, as his new love interest prepared for IRONMAN Canada. She later encouraged him to enter a sprint triathlon, where he first tasted the multisport life.

As the relationship grew, so did the stakes and Feddock registered for his first IRONMAN race in 2007 on a bet. “I won that bet by crossing the finish line ahead of her and didn’t want to stop there,” Feddock says.

Since that maiden IRONMAN race, the doctor has continued to grow both on and off the course. As a radiation oncologist (specializing in breast, gynecologic and pediatric cancer), Feddock knows that the finish line isn’t yet in sight for many of his patients. In need of renovations and updated equipment, the doctor has appealed to the Capital Funding Committee at the University of Kentucky for the past several years, only to be denied every time. Faced with an estimated price tag of over $1 million, the university hasn’t been able to dedicate the money to the project, even though it will significantly improve the care patients receive.

Not willing to give up, Feddock started brainstorming last spring for ways to raise funds as a down payment of sorts, hoping to demonstrate his commitment to the project. "I’d heard about a news anchor running the New York City Marathon, while raising money for every runner he passed on the course. I knew that I was capable of doing something similar at IRONMAN Louisville and immediately started making contacts to get the plan in place," he said.

Feddock arranged to be the last competitor to start the race, and began asking people for flat donations, or pledges based on how many people he passed on race day. "I challenged myself to see how many people I could get to invest in this journey," he said. (In the end, he had 160 people make flat donations and 58 people pledge an amount per person passed.)

Knowing that he had $17.77 per person he passed on the line, Feddock began IRONMAN Louisville in August seeing dollar signs on the backs of fellow competitors. As temperatures soared, it was his cheering squad that kept him focused through a tough race. Over 60 people, made up of patients, loved ones and friends, wore shirts in honor of Feddock’s race and cheered him along heartily.

Despite a particularly hot day, he managed to pass 1,977 athletes before crossing the finish line in 118th place overall. "When one of my 12 year-old patients greeted me at the finish and put the medal around my neck, it was an emotional moment," Feddock said. "I was doing this to help the people I take care of and to have them there on race day was really special."

Feddock raised over $51,000, and isn't stopping there. With a silent auction and more IRONMAN events on his calendar, he hopes to continue using triathlon to improve cancer care for his patients. He won’t go before the committee again until October, but he's optimistic that money in the bank will show a good faith attempt to put his money where his mouth is.

For more information about Feddock’s fundraising or to make a donation, visit ironcology.com.

Kara Deschenes is a health and fitness freelance writer living in Tampa, FL. For her latest musings in the endurance world, follow her @KaraDeschenes